Essay 911: Top 10 Mistakes & How to Rescue Your Essays

I can't stress this enough, so I will use ALL CAPS. The college essay is often the TIPPING POINT in decisions about borderline applicants. Even the most stellar students can stumble when it comes to this crucial component. Get this! One Ivy League admissions officer reported that they could predict the topic of about 50% of essays just by looking at the student's background and activities list. Several top universities have reported that up to 80% of their applicants are academically qualified, making the essay a crucial differentiator.

Here are the top 10 mistakes to avoid when crafting your college essay:

1. Writing for the sake of making a good impression.

Mistake: Crafting an essay based on what you think admissions officers want, rather than your authentic experiences and voice.

Fix: Be genuine. Admissions officers can spot insincerity a mile away. Share your true passions, experiences, and insights. 70% of admissions officers in a recent poll said they value authenticity and genuine voice over perfectly polished prose.

2. Telling them what they already know.

Mistake: Don't restate your resume by storytelling the achievements and activities you've already mentioned elsewhere in your application.

Fix: Use your essay to dive deeper into a specific experience and how it's changed your perspective or to showcase aspects of your personality that aren't reflected in other parts of your application.

3. Choosing clichés, sob stories...or TMI

Mistake: Writing about overused topics like "the big game." A survey of 50 admission officers found that 'mission trip' essays were among the top 3 most tiresome topics. One admissions officer reported that about 1 in 5 essays they read was about sports. Tragedy, politics, breakups, and other highly personal topics need careful consideration.

Fix: Find a unique angle on common experiences or choose a topic that's truly personal to you. If you choose those more common topics, highlight the impact of the experience. Remember, it's not about what you write, but how you write it.

4. Neglecting structure and flow.

Mistake: Writing a disorganized essay that jumps from point to point without a clear narrative.

Fix: Create an outline before you start writing. Ensure your essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with smooth transitions between paragraphs. You want the reader to be lost in the story of you, not raising an eyebrow in confusion. They also assess your writing skills, which are crucial for college success across all disciplines.

5. Failing to grab the reader's attention.

Mistake: Overlooking the importance of the opening by starting with a bland or generic opening that fails to grab the reader's attention.

Fix: Begin with a funny anecdote, reflective observation, engaging dialogue, or surprising statement that immediately draws the reader in.

6. Focusing too much on others.

Mistake: Writing more about other people (like parents or mentors) than yourself. The "hero story" is another overused topic.

Fix: The essay is meant to showcase the star of the show – you! While it's important to strike the humility balance and it's certainly okay to mention influential people, the essay should primarily focus on your thoughts, growth, and insights.

7. Using overly formal or flowery language.

Mistake: Trying to impress with complex vocabulary or overly formal tone.

Fix: Write in your own voice. Use language that's natural to you while maintaining a level of professionalism appropriate for the context. Some key indicators: Overuse of passive voice? Too many adverbs and adjectives? Lack of contractions? Does it pass the "would I say this out loud" test?

8. Neglecting to proofread. Duh.

Mistake: Submitting an essay with typos, grammatical errors, or formatting issues.

Fix: Proofread multiple times, and have others review your essay as well. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing or errors you might miss when reading silently. If you're using software, like Grammarly, be careful not to accept all suggestions - sometimes it removes contractions and phrases you have intentionally included for an informal voice and tone.

9. Exceeding the word limit.

Mistake: Ignoring or significantly exceeding the stated word limit.

Fix: Respect the guidelines. If you're over the limit, look for ways to tighten your writing. Often, essays are stronger when they're more concise.

10. Failing to answer the prompt.

Mistake: Writing an essay that doesn't actually address the given prompt.

Fix: Carefully read and reread the prompt. Make sure your essay responds to the question or topic at hand.  It can be tempting to push the boundaries of creativity on this one. Proceed with caution. There are fine lines around clever, cute, clownish, and cocky.

Remember, your college essay is your opportunity to speak directly to humans on the admissions committee. By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to crafting an essay that authentically represents you and enhances your college application.

Need more personalized guidance on your college essays? Contact me to learn how I can help you tell your story!